The tide was simply not flowing in the Lady Blue Water Polo team’s favor. In a busy three-game week, the Andover squad dropped two games to Loomis and Williston, picking up a win in its Saturday game against the NMH Hoggers. The PA team trounced the Hoggers 12-2, in its second meeting with NMH this season. The team continued their steady improvement this week, playing a quality game against Williston, but still losing, 13-11. Krissy Conner ’03 was pleased with the team’s performance, saying, “The Wednesday game was our best game as a team, we worked together really well as a team. We just keep getting better and better. We started off strong, but the second and third quarters lacked a little. The fourth quarter was amazing, though. We just keep getting better and better.” In Saturday’s first game against NMH, the spectacular defense and a great combined effort by goalies Susannah Gund ’04 and Ryan Faurot ’03 accounted for the near shut-out. The field players also played solidly, working together to set up and coordinate drives. Bridget O’Sullivan ’05 filled in for starting hole Kristina Chang ’04. After a short one-hour break, Andover faced a tough squad against Loomis. Despite Andover’s faster individual swimmers, Loomis collectively outswam the Big Blue to score on numerous fast breaks. Loomis capitalized on its fast breaks and scored easily on many turnovers. Andover’s small team proved no match against the Loomis squad almost twice its size. The game ended in a 17-6 loss for the Big Blue. On Wednesday, Williston came down to Andover for one of the Blue’s closest games of the season. Andover netted the first goal of the game, with Williston quickly following with a goal of their own. The two exchanged the lead for the first quarter, with Williston pulling away in the second quarter. Chang’s spectacular game in hole combined with outstanding drives by Amy Lippe ’04 and strong picks from Kate Page ’04. In the second half, the Blue’s offense was blocked when Williston started to crash the hole, making it impossible for Chang to shoot or receive and pass the ball back out to the perimeter. Also contributing to the great offense and impressive defense was Tracey Zicherman ’03, one of the top goal scorers on the team. Unfortunately, Captain Kim Walker ’03 must step down from her post because of disciplinary reasons. Chang praised the leadership that Walker displayed during her short stint as captain, saying, “Kim provided tremendous leadership to the squad, both in and out of the water. Her speed, knowledge of the game, and encouraging attitude brought the 2003 season to a whole new level. Kim will be greatly missed as the team’s captain.”
